I'm a Celebrity 2021 has shown the campmates bonding and learning more about each other, and Kadeena Cox was given the opportunity to open up about her stroke and MS diagnosis on Tuesday's episode.
Kadeena is a Paralympian and has won a bronze medal in the Women's 100m T38, a gold medal in the Women's C4-5 cycling time trial, and another gold in the T38 400m sprint during the 2016 Paralympic games.
She revealed: "I was a runner from a young age. 2014, when I had my stroke and was diagnosed with MS, I couldn’t run. I just kept falling over, my balance was so bad.
"There was just the wattbike in the gym, I’d sit on the wattbike in the gym because it was stationary and I couldn’t really fall anywhere. And then someone was like, "Your power’s pretty decent.""
.@kad_c is truly an inspiration on how to trump anything life throws at you 💞 #ImACeleb pic.twitter.com/iEXctuJsYJNovember 23, 2021
She added: "Spoke to British Cycling and they were like, ‘We think you’d be great at this.’ I was 23 when I had my stroke. Four months later I had an MS relapse and they were like, "Your brain’s doing some weird stuff."
"I always talk about my condition to allow people to get an understanding. It’s not very well known. I think these guys have made me feel so comfortable that I can just share some of the more personal stuff. As much as it’s tough, I wouldn’t have changed it and it’s given me opportunities I wouldn’t have had."
Fans on Twitter have praised Kadeena for being so open, with many saying that she's inspiring and that she deserved to have the platform to speak about her condition.
kadeena is such an inspiration, i’m so pleased she’s getting a platform to raise awareness about her condition #imacelebNovember 23, 2021
Kadeena is an inspiration and such a breath of fresh air 👏🏼👏🏼♥️♥️♥️#ImACelebNovember 23, 2021
Kadeena is an inspiration to me as a disabled person. What an amazing sport. #ImACelebNovember 23, 2021
So glad MS is being spoke about on TV. So much more Awareness needs to be made, well done Kadeena 🧡 #ImACeleb #MultipleSclerosis https://t.co/V6Cfv5AH8kNovember 23, 2021
#ImACeleb Kadeena is inspirational! These things can happen at any age! I was 35 when I was diagnosed with heart failure and it’s made me appreciate life and carry on in a positive way like Kadeena does! ❤️❤️❤️❤️November 23, 2021
Ahead of the show's first episode, Kadeena told Radio Times that she'd worked with producers to ensure she could take part in the trials. She revealed: "There are things in place so that I can do the trials, which is great. And it's great that the team have worked so closely with me to make sure that I won't have to feel like my disability is holding me back."
I'm a Celeb continues on ITV on Weds 24 Nov. at 9pm. Episodes are available on-demand via ITV Hub.
